a new report suggests the looming "fiscal cliff" is forcing consumers to lose confidence in the nation's economy. the conference board says its consumer price index fell sharply for the second month. >>> a potential dock worker strike is possible on the east and gulf coast which threatens to cost the nation's economy billions. more than 14,000 longshoremen are ready to walk off the job sunday. a strike would shut ports from boston to houston. those ports move as much as 100 million tons of goods each year including everything from flat screen tvs, sneaker and snow shovels. >>> the housing market shows new signs of rebounding. the commerce department says sales of new homes increased by about 4.5% in november from the month before. that's the fastest pace in two years. >>> and that's your moneywatch. for more, stay with cbsmoneywatch.com. back to you. >> thank you. >>> with all the snow falling in the sierra, avalanche concerns are on the minds of many after two people died at resorts this week. cbs reporter neda iranpour asks, what's being done to keep skiers safe? >> reporter: it's one